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The Bourbon County Sheriff’s Office Daily Reports May 2-3
The Bourbon County Sheriff’s Office daily reports can best be viewed on a computer.
Click below, then click on the image to enlarge:
Obituary for Wilda I. Insley
Wilda I. Insley, age 87, of Fort Scott, KS, more recently of Olathe, KS, passed away Sunday afternoon, April 29, 2018, at The University of Kansas Medical Center.
She was born January 22, 1931, in Fort Scott, KS, the daughter of Joseph Richard Crystal and Elva Pauline Beerbower Crystal.
Wilda graduated from Arcadia High School with the class of 1948. Following her graduation, she worked that summer as a nurse’s aide for Mercy Hospital.
She married Curtis Richard Insley on August 23, 1950, in Bentonville, AR.
She was later employed by The Western Insurance Company and Montgomery Ward. Her employment with the City of Fort Scott included 16 years as a clerk with the water department. Then on May 18, 1979, she became the City Clerk where she served for 13 years until her retirement in 1992.
Wilda, and husband Curtis enjoyed traveling and genealogy research. Their travels included the annual reunion of The Company A of the United States Army Fifth Combat Engineer Battalion. These trips included travels around the United States which were hosted by the former soldiers and their families. Wilda and Curtis hosted the event in Fort Scott on two different occasions.
She was a long-time member of the Fort Scott Lioness Club and a member of The First Presbyterian Church. She enjoyed playing card games and dominoes with family and friends and attending sporting activities for the grandchildren, great-grandchildren, nephews and nieces.
Wilda is survived by daughters Sondra Cowen and husband Larry of Fort Scott, KS, and Karen O’Bryan and husband Joseph of Olathe, KS; three grandchildren, Monica Harvey and husband David of Blue Springs, MO, Afton Brown and husband Chad of Fort Scott, KS, and Dustin Willard of Olathe, KS; three great grandchildren, Banks and Madison Brown of Fort Scott, KS, and Noah Harvey of Blue Springs, MO; one brother Frank Crystal and Yvonne Beck, and one sister Carolyn Crystal, all of Fort Scott, KS; as well as several nieces and nephews.
She was preceded in death by her husband Curtis; an infant sister Darlene Faye Crystal; her brother James Dale Crystal; and sister-in-law Juanita Jo Crystal.
Pastor Jeff Dillow will conduct funeral services at 10:00 AM Friday, May 4th, at the First Presbyterian Church, Ft. Scott.
Burial will follow in the U. S. National Cemetery. The family will receive friends from 5:00 until 7:00 Thursday evening at the Cheney Witt Chapel. Memorials are suggested to either the American Diabetes Association or the First Presbyterian Church and may be left in the care of the Cheney Witt Chapel, PO Box 347, 201 S. Main, Ft. Scott, KS 66701. Words of remembrance may be submitted to the online guestbook at cheneywitt.com.
FS Christian Heights School Country Store, Auction and Fun Walk May 5
The annual Country Store and Auction at Fort Scott Christian Heights School, 1101 S. Barbee is May 5.
This is the annual fundraiser for the school.
Included is a 5K race/two-mile fun walk, which begins at 7:30 a.m.
The country store is open from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.
There will be a supper offered from 4-6 p.m. and an auction at 6 p.m.
For more information call 620-223-4330, or view the school’s Facebook page.
The Fort Scott Police Department Daily Reports April 30-May 2
The Fort Scott Police Department daily reports can best be viewed on a computer.
The dept. is located at 1604 S. National, Fort Scott, KS 66701 and can be reached at 620-223-1700.
Governor Ensures Job Seekers Not Asked About Criminal Record
Governor Jeff Colyer, M.D. Issues Executive Order to “Ban the Box” on Executive Branch Employment Applications
TOPEKA, KS – Governor Jeff Colyer today issued Executive Order 18-12 regarding state employment practices. The order instructs all Executive Branch departments, agencies, boards, and commissions under the jurisdiction of the Office of the Governor to ensure that job applicants are not asked about their criminal record during the initial stage of a state employment application.
“Studies have shown that gainful employment is a major factor in reducing recidivism rate among former offenders,” said Gov. Colyer. “This is simply about treating people as individuals and allowing them to explain their circumstances at a later point in the process”.
The executive order notes that individuals with criminal records often experience obstacles when trying to rejoin society, such as the practice of automatically disqualifying those with criminal records from consideration. The ‘Ban the Box’ initiative, which has been adopted in numerous other states, allows applicants to explain their unique facts and circumstances to potential employers while still allowing employers to inquire about a criminal background in later stages of the process.
The order does not prevent employers from conducting criminal background checks or from excluding such applicants if a law or regulation prohibits those with criminal records from holding that specific position.
Studies show that recidivism rates fall substantially when ex-offenders achieve gainful employment. Many other states have adopted policies revising their state employment practices to lower the barriers to individuals with criminal histories seeking to enter the state workforce, including more than 30 that have adopted some form of “Ban the Box” policy. The national “Ban the Box” initiative has brought renewed attention to the value of discussing applicants’ criminal history later in the hiring process and providing applicants with an opportunity to explain their unique facts and circumstances to potential employers.
The Bourbon County Sheriff’s Office Daily Reports May 2
Prayer Breakfast May 3 At FSCC
The National Day of Prayer Breakfast is Thursday, May 3, at the Ellis Fine Arts Center, 2108 S. Horton, on the campus of Fort Scott Community College.
Breakfast will be served at 7:30 am.
The program begins at 8:00 am, entitled “Unity” by Danny Brown Sr.
The event is sponsored by Cheney Witt Chapel, Pioneer Kiwanis, Fort Scott Ministerial Alliance, and Fort Scott Chamber of Commerce.
The weekly Chamber of Commerce Coffee attendees are invited to attend this event in place of the coffee.
Upcoming Chamber of Commerce Coffees will be:
May 10th – Woodland Hills Golf Course
May 17th – Riverfront Park
Canning Season Begins Soon
Kathy S. McEwan,Family, and Consumer Sciences Agent Foods & Nutrition, SNAP-Ed Coordinator, Southwind Extension District – Iola Office, P.O. Box 845, Iola KS 66749, 620-365-224, [email protected]
Time to get ready for canning season
Fresh pickles, ripe tomatoes, and other garden goodies may still be months away, but if you plan on canning those foods, now’s a good time to check on your supplies.
And if that includes buying a new canner, Kansas State University food safety specialist Karen Blakeslee says there is a lot to think about before selecting a canner.
“The first thing to think about is what kind of cooktop do you have on your stove,” said Blakeslee, who is also the director of the university’s Rapid Response Center. “The cooktop is going to dictate what type of canner you’re going to get.”
She said most canners will work on a gas stove or a coil-type stove. But the newer, smooth top stoves could create some problems with some canners.
“Some of the smooth top stoves have automatic shutoffs on them if they get too hot,” which could mean the food is not properly heated and thus preserved, according to Blakeslee.
“The other thing to think about is the weight that you’re putting on that stove top. Canners are heavy, and when you add water and full jars of food, that increases weight, and you could end up cracking your stovetop because of the weight and the heat.”
She recommends following the stove manufacturer’s recommendations for using canners on a smooth stovetop.
“There are some canners that I would not recommend using on a smooth top surface,” Blakeslee said. “One example is a water bath canner like the old Granite-Ware, which are speckled blue or black enamel canners. Many people have them and they work great, but the problem with those is they have the bumpy bottoms. On a smooth cooktop surface, you do not get maximum heat contact from the burner into the canner, so it takes forever to heat up water.”
Blakeslee, who teaches classes on canning through K-State Research and Extension offices in the state, suggests a stainless steel water bath canner sold by the Ball company that has a flat bottom. Presto is another company that says its product can be used on a smooth top, but Blakeslee says “make sure that your burner is as large as possible.”
She adds that the bottom of the canner should not extend beyond the burner more than one inch to get maximum heat transfer from the burner into the canner.
Canners sold by All American and Mirro warn consumers not to use them on a smooth cooktop.
“An alternative to using your stove top for water bath canners is an electric water bath canner sold by the Ball company,” Blakeslee said. “This is a stand-alone canner; it has its own heater/burner system and is separate from your stove, so you don’t have to worry about what kind of canner to use on top of your stove.
“This is a good investment if you do a lot of water bath canning. It can also be used for general cooking such as making soup or stew.”
Blakeslee has some other timely tips leading up to canning season:
Use a canner that is recommended for the type of food you want to can. “If you’re canning plain vegetables, like green beans, you have to use a pressure canner because green beans are low acid foods,” she said. “Plain vegetables like green beans, carrots, corn, even meat…those types of foods must be pressure canned.”
She added that you can use a water bath canner for such foods as fruits, jams, jellies, and pickles.
“A pressure canner can be used like a water bath canner. Just leave the weight off so the pressure is not applied,” Blakeslee said.
Have your dial gauge tested. Southwind Extension offers this service for free. Gauge brands that can be tested include Presto, National, Magic Seal and Maid of Honor dial gauge pressure canners.
“Check dial gauges every year so you know how accurate the gauge is reading,” she said.
Check your canning supplies. The food safety specialist says you should check to make sure jars are not scratched or chipped and that the rims of jars are not damaged. A damaged jar could crack inside a canner, “and that’s not good,” she said.
Other supplies you may need to have in stock include pectin for jams and jellies; lemon juice or citric acid for tomatoes; and other supplies that vary based on the type of food you plan to can.
“We want you to be smart and safe when it comes to home canning,” Blakeslee said. “It’s a great way to preserve produce you grow or buy from a farmer’s market. Be smart about how you’re canning food. While there are some things that haven’t changed over the years, there are some procedures and methods that have changed, so make sure you’re up to date on what you’re doing when it comes to home canning.”
As part of our Grow, It Prepare It series, I will be offering preservation classes in Iola beginning May 9 with Preservation 101. This class is a pre-requisite for the other “hands-on” classes to follow. For more information or to register for the Preservation 101 class, call Kathy at 620-365-2242. Class details are available on the Southwind District website at www.southwind.kus.edu.
Sen. Hilderbrand’s Weekly Newsletter April 27
State senator Richard Hilderbrand 13th district
communications from the state capitol
April 27, 2018, ∙ Week Twelve
Quote of the Week:
“On every occasion [of Constitutional interpretation] let us carry ourselves back to the time when the Constitution was adopted, recollect the spirit manifested in the debates, and instead of trying [to force] what meaning may be squeezed out of the text, or invented against it, [instead let us] conform to the probable one in which it was passed.” – Thomas Jefferson, letter to William Johnson, 12 June 1823
HARD FACTS:
- Preliminary estimates reported by the Kansas Department of Labor and Bureau of Labor Statistics show a seasonally adjusted unemployment rate of 3.4 percent in March. This was unchanged from February and down from 3.7 percent in March 2017 (Kansas Department of Labor).https://www.dol.ks.gov/Uploads/LR_Mar2018_News_Release.pdf
- Seasonally adjusted job estimates indicate total Kansas nonfarm jobs increased by 2,100 from February. Private sector jobs, a subset of total nonfarm jobs, increased by 2,200 from the previous month (Kansas Department of Labor). https://www.dol.ks.gov/Uploads/LR_Mar2018_News_Release.pdf
- Since March 2017, Kansas gained 10,700 seasonally adjusted total nonfarm jobs and 9,400 private sector jobs (Kansas Department of Labor). https://www.dol.ks.gov/Uploads/LR_Mar2018_News_Release.pdf
Student Success Skills Center helps students develop skills that are vital for success in high school, college, and in life. This online resource from the State Library of Kansas has interactive tutorials on multi-tasking, time management, and information literacy. Skills featured for new high school students cover study and classroom skills, finding good sources, and how to cite work and avoid plagiarism. College students receive tutorials on organizational strategies, using campus resources, and personal skills like money management, healthy habits, and understanding insurance, credit, and taxes. Go to https://kslib.info/LEL and click on the tile for Student Success Skills.
If the page above asks for a Kansas Library eCard number, you may get one at any library in Kansas. Most people will be automatically recognized as being in Kansas and will not need this step. Easy registration and self-supplied password are necessary in order to save your work and revisit any practice tests or tutorials. Questions: [email protected] or 785-296-3296.
WEEKLY OVERVIEW:
The legislature reconvened on Thursday, April 26th for the start of Veto Session. This week the Senate voted on eight Conference Committee Reports and two bills. The Senate will continue to work until Sine Die on Friday, May 4th.
FLOOR ACTION:
INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY PROJECTS (HB 2438): House Bill 2438 would prohibit state agencies from contracting with a vendor on an information technology project if that vendor prepared or assisted with:
- The preparation of the program statement;
- The project planning documents;
- Any other project plans prepared prior to approval of the project by the Chief Information Technology Officer of the relevant branch of government.
Information technology projects with estimated cumulative costs less than $50 million would be exempted from the provisions of the bill. This bill passed the Senate 38-0.
KANSAS RACETRACKS AND CASINOS (SB 427): Senate Bill 427 would amend the Kansas Expanded Lottery Act and the Kansas Pari-mutuel Racing Act concerning racetrack gaming facilities and lottery gaming facilities. SB 427 would require racetracks with slot machines to pay back about 22 percent of their earnings to the state, the same as state-owned casinos. Currently, racetracks are required to pay 40 percent of earnings back to the state. SB 427 would also allow for greyhound and horse racing in Kansas. This bill failed on a vote of 17-20. (I voted against this bill. I had many concerns with this bill. The treatment of the greyhound dogs. This bill had a clause that would allow the owner of the race tracks the ability not to open any facilities if they were not able to open the Wichita track. There is also some concern that the Wichita track will be the only track that opens.)
CONFERENCE COMMITTEE REPORTS:
(SB 56): Senate Bill 56 would create the Kansas Cybersecurity Act and would amend the membership and the frequency of required meetings for the Information Technology Executive Council (ITEC). The Conference Committee Report was adopted by a vote of 37-2. (I voted against this bill. I had some concerns about the cybersecurity reports being open to KORA.)
(SB 217): Senate Bill 217 would update several statutory references in accordance with enacted 2016 SB 449 and Executive Reorganization Order No. 41. The bill would replace the term “mentally retarded and other handicapped persons” in statutes with “individuals with intellectual or other disabilities” in accordance with current law. The Conference Committee Report was adopted by a vote of 39-0.
(SB 272): Senate Bill 272 would amend the Uniform Act Regulating Traffic on Highways regarding the passing of waste collection vehicles, length and weight limits for certain vehicles, the fine for improper passing of a school bus, and operation of golf carts on city streets. The Conference Committee Report was adopted by a vote of 35-4. (I voted for this bill)
(SB 282): Senate Bill 282 would amend the Uniform Controlled Substances Act and certain statutes pertaining to crimes involving controlled substances. The bill would amend the definition of “marijuana” to exempt cannabidiol. The Conference Committee Report was adopted by a vote of 39-0.
(SB 307): Senate Bill 307 would make amendments to the Kansas Amusement Ride Act. The Conference Committee Report was adopted by a vote of 37-1. (I voted for this bill)
(SB 331): Senate Bill 331 would add to the list of designated state parks the Flint Hills Trail State Park located in Miami, Franklin, Osage, Lyon, Morris, and Dickinson counties, and Little Jerusalem Badlands State Park located in Logan County. SB 331 would also establish the Flint Hills Advisory Council, which would study and assess the development, staffing, maintenance, and promotion of the Flint Hills Nature Trail. The Conference Committee Report was adopted by a vote of 27-12. (I voted against this bill. I think that the state shouldn’t be taking control of private property and the land should be reverted to the landowners. There are over 117 miles of land that will be affected by this. There are also concerns that the state has accepted the liability of some ongoing issues regarding land usage.)
(SB 335): Senate Bill 335 would amend the State Banking Code related to savings and loan associations, savings banks, and the Kansas Money Transmitter Act. The Conference Committee Report was adopted by a vote of 39-0.
(SB 348): Senate Bill 348 would authorize electronic delivery as the standard method of delivery for certain health insurance related documents and require the State Employees Health Care Commission to provide coverage for amino acid-based elemental formula, as specified. The Conference Committee Report was adopted by a vote of 35-4. (I voted against this bill. It has language in it that will mandate and expand the state’s role in medical insurance.)
Below are links to make it easy for constituents to follow the Kansas Legislature:
Website – www.kslegislature.org. It is great for looking up bills, calendars, journals, as well as, the roster in each Chamber.
YouTube of Legislature – http://bit.ly/2CZj9O0 Did you know the legislature is now streaming its proceedings? The YouTube page has an archive of the sessions thus far – including the State of the State and the State of the Judiciary.
Committee Streaming – http://sg001-harmony.sliq.net/00287/Harmony/en/View/Calendar/ The Kansas Legislature is also streaming committees, with every committee room equipped with audio streaming technology.
Thank You for Engaging
Thank you for all your calls, emails, and letters regarding your thoughts and concerns about happenings in Kansas. Constituent correspondence helps inform my decision-making process and is taken into great consideration when I cast my vote in the Kansas Senate. I hope you’ll continue to engage with me on the issues that matter most to you, your family, and our community. If you are on Twitter or Facebook, I encourage you to follow along with the #ksleg hashtag for real-time updates on legislative happenings in Topeka.
Please know that I am fully committed to addressing the current issues in our state, and I am proud to be your voice in the Kansas Senate.
Foster Care Month Highlights Need for More Foster Families
DCF announces event and outlines efforts to increase placement options for Kansas kids
TOPEKA – Currently, there are more than 7,500 children in foster care. Sadly, these children have been placed outside of their home by the court for safety reasons. As the number of children in foster care continues to rise, following the national trend, the Kansas Department for Children and Families (DCF) is actively recruiting foster families in all parts of the state, to ensure children can remain in their home communities while the agency and its contractors work with birth families to address safety issues and promote reunification.
“It has become abundantly clear that we need more foster families, especially those who are willing to accept older youth, sibling groups and children with special needs,” said DCF Secretary Meier-Hummel. “We are actively working to strengthen the continuum of care.”
At this time, there are more than 2,600 foster homes in Kansas. Ensuring appropriate accommodations for children in care has been and remains a top priority for Secretary Meier-Hummel. However, some solutions to address the shortage of homes and facilities require additional funding. Governor Jeff Colyer, in January, proposed a DCF budget enhancement of $16.5 million to address this and other urgent issues to help Kansas families in crisis.
“I remain hopeful that the Kansas Legislature will respond to these needs by fully funding this request,” said Governor Colyer. “As a State, we have a duty to care for children deemed unsafe in their own homes. Without adequate resources, we jeopardize our ability to address the problems facing the child welfare system.”
With the current resources, Secretary Meier-Hummel continues to seek solutions to the placement-option shortage. In recent months, she has worked diligently with DCF staff and others to address the immediate issue of placing youth, to prevent overnight stays in contractor offices. She is also directing staff to quickly eliminate identified barriers in the placement process. Kinship care approvals are being expedited. Reviews and investigations of foster homes are being moved through. And provider agreements are being fast tracked to increase bed availability. These steps are being taken, all while ensuring child safety is not compromised.
While it’s important to focus on the immediate need for placement options, it’s also important to relay our appreciation for the foster and kinship families who are taking on the tremendous responsibility of caring for youth removed from their homes. Governor Colyer has signed a proclamation designating May as Foster Care Month.
At 5:30 p.m., on May 12, DCF will host a foster family appreciation night at the Topeka Zoo and Conservation Center. The event will kick off with a news conference, to include Lieutenant Governor Tracey Mann, Secretary Meier-Hummel, foster families and others. Foster care information will be available at more than a dozen booths, and family-friendly activities will be available throughout the zoo grounds. A cook-out dinner will be provided to attendees. (Please do not promote in advance, as this event will be open to the media and invited guests only.)
Additionally, throughout the month of May, foster care contractors, KVC Kansas and Saint Francis Community Services, will host other appreciation events for families.
For more information about foster care in Kansas, visit www.FosterKSKids.org or call 1-844-380-2009.
FSCC Agriculture Program is Expanding
Fort Scott Community College Agriculture is getting bigger and better with a new facelift coming soon to the Burris building where the program resides.
The agriculture program at FSCC has been around for many years and is one of the foundations of the college itself. Approximately 800 students come through the agriculture program each year and even more continue to show interest.
The FSCC Agriculture program creates an umbrella effect for numerous opportunities to eager agriculture students. From “Farm & Ranch Management” classes to “Ag Hydraulics” in the John Deere program. The Ag program is also the host of numerous scholarship and activity opportunities including, but not limited to Livestock Judging, Meat’s Judging, Rodeo, and academic. On top of that, the FSCC Endowment Foundation offers eight agriculture-related scholarships that can stack on top of the institutional scholarships.
“Agriculture education at FSCC is essential!” says Alysia Johnston, President at FSCC. “The importance of our agriculture curricula goes well beyond what is taught in the classroom, as our students learn valuable life skills and leadership qualities that will not only help them but also the agriculture industry. My Bachelor of Science is in Animal Science and Industry. The skills I acquired while earning my agriculture degree and being a part of the livestock judging team has helped me thrive at my present job as president and working at our family farm every day.”
The new expansion is possible thanks to the generous donations from Chester Boileau and Lonnie Cleaver estates. The expansion will consist of an extra 2,533 square feet, making the building 6,680 square feet! The extension will have new offices, classrooms, bathrooms, and a trophy area to display our prestigious winnings from the Livestock and Meat’s Judging teams.
The program would not be where it is today without our amazing instructors that help shape the student’s lives every day. We are looking to add to our team with two agriculture positions currently open. For more information about the open positions, please go to www.fortscott.edu/jobs.
For more information about the FSCC Agriculture program(s), please contact Admissions at 620.223.2700 or visit our website at www.fortscott.edu.